In this thought-provoking episode of Pick My Brain, we sit down with workplace
relations expert @Kate Russell to
explore the reality behind so-called “difficult” people at work and why, more
often than not, we’re actually dealing with people in difficulty.

Together, we unpack the complex dynamics behind challenging workplace
relationships and conversations, moving beyond policies, processes, and quick
fixes to focus on what truly matters: people. Kate shares a refreshing and
deeply human approach to leadership, conflict, and workplace culture, one
grounded in curiosity, empathy, and understanding the root cause rather than
simply reacting to behaviour.

This conversation is especially valuable for senior leaders, middle managers,
business owners, and HR professionals navigating the increasing complexity of
modern workplaces. Kate challenges traditional approaches to performance and
conflict management, offering practical insights into how authentic listening
and meaningful dialogue can create safer, more accountable, and more connected
teams.

Throughout the episode, we explore why slowing conversations down often leads
to better long-term outcomes, how asking thoughtful questions builds trust,
and why people are far more likely to follow rules and processes they helped
create themselves.

At its heart, this episode powerfully reminds us that conversations can
transform workplace culture, strengthen relationships, and create lasting
impact when we choose empathy over assumption and curiosity over control.

Want to pick the brain of Kate Russell? Click
here.

Perspective

As artificial intelligence reshapes how we work, communicate, and lead, one
leadership capability is becoming more valuable than ever: authenticity.

In this thought-provoking conversation, we welcome @kamal
sarma, leadership expert, former monk,
and business strategist, to explore why the future belongs to leaders who can
combine inner steadiness with outer impact. Drawing on his unique journey from
the monastery to the boardroom, Kamal brings together Eastern wisdom and
Western leadership practices to offer a powerful perspective on leading in an
increasingly artificial world.

Together, we examine the growing challenges of distraction, disconnection, and
constant change, and why authentic leadership is emerging as a critical
differentiator. Kamal shares insights from neuroscience, leadership
development, and human connection to reveal how presence, emotional
regulation, self-awareness, and trust help leaders navigate complexity without
losing themselves in the process.

This conversation explores what it means to lead with courage, clarity, and
genuine connection when technology advances faster than our ability to stay
grounded. We discuss how leaders can create cultures where people feel safe,
valued, and able to perform at their best, while building stronger
relationships and more meaningful conversations along the way.

Whether you lead a team, an organisation, or simply want to have a greater
positive impact on those around you, this episode offers practical insights
for becoming a more human leader in a rapidly changing world.

Because while technology may shape the future, authentic human connection will
determine how successfully we navigate it together.a

Want to pick the brain of Kamal Sarma? Click
here.

Australian organisations are facing a growing challenge.

Productivity growth has slowed, employee engagement remains stubbornly low,
burnout is increasing, and leaders are under pressure to deliver more with
fewer resources. At the same time, AI is rapidly transforming the way work
gets done.

So how do organisations improve productivity without overwhelming their
people?

Join a curated panel of Australia’s leading experts in workplace wellbeing,
employee engagement, productivity, future workforce trends and AI-enabled work
as they explore one of the most important leadership questions facing
organisations today.

This live streamed event will bring together CEOs, executives, HR leaders and
decision-makers for an engaging conversation on how organisations can create
healthier, more connected and more productive workplaces.

Together we’ll explore:

• Why traditional productivity strategies often fail
• The connection between employee wellbeing and organisational performance
• How AI can remove friction and create capacity for higher-value work
• The future of workforce design and sustainable performance
• Practical ways leaders can improve engagement, productivity and business outcomes

Featured Speakers

Claire de Carteret
Managing Director APAC, Gallup
One of Australia’s leading voices on employee engagement, strengths-based
leadership and workplace performance.

Taylor Dee Hawkins
Co-Founder & Managing Director, Foundations for Tomorrow
Global strategic foresight expert helping leaders navigate the future of work,
workforce transformation and long-term decision-making.

Darren Moglia
Founder & Managing Director, EnterpriseWorks
Productivity and AI specialist with 25+ years’ experience helping
organisations improve performance through better ways of working.

Hosted by Luke Cook
Founder, Cuppa.tv
Human connection advocate, movement builder and founder of Cuppa, helping
organisations create more engaged and connected cultures

In a rapidly changing world of work, organisations are increasingly relying on
self-employed contractors, freelancers, and micro-business owners to deliver
specialised skills, drive innovation, and support project-based work. Yet
while many leaders understand how to engage and support employees, far fewer
understand what it takes to build strong, productive relationships with
independent contractors.

In this episode, we sit down with entrepreneur, researcher, and former Billie
Goat Soap founder @Leanne Faulkner to
explore the unique realities facing Australia’s growing self-employed
workforce. Drawing on more than 20 years of business experience and five years
of PhD research into the mental health hazards faced by sole traders and
micro-business owners, Leanne shares valuable insights into how organisations
can better connect with, support, and retain contractor talent.

Together, we discuss the changing nature of work, the differences between
employment and self-employment, and why understanding these distinctions can
unlock stronger engagement, greater innovation, and better outcomes for
everyone involved.

Leanne offers practical strategies for building trust-based relationships with
contractors, creating healthier project environments, and developing long-term
talent networks that benefit both organisations and the people they engage.

Whether you’re a CEO, HR leader, procurement professional, or business owner,
this conversation will challenge you to rethink traditional approaches to
workforce engagement and consider how more human-centred partnerships can
create lasting impact.

Because when organisations understand the people behind the contracts, they
create the conditions for stronger relationships, better performance, and more
meaningful work for all.

Want to pick the brain of Leanne Faulkner? Click
here.

Workplace

The Intergenerational Workforce Movement Circle

Today’s workplaces are more age-diverse than ever before, bringing together
multiple generations with different experiences, expectations, communication
styles and perspectives. While this diversity creates incredible opportunities
for innovation and growth, it can also present challenges for leaders seeking
to build cohesive, high-performing teams.

In this special Movement Circle conversation, Katie Iles, Lea Boyce, Sam
Trattles and Daniel Murray come together to explore what it takes to create
thriving intergenerational workplaces. Drawing on their diverse experiences
and insights, they unpack common misconceptions about generational differences
and share practical strategies for building stronger connections across age
groups.

Together, they explore how leaders can move beyond stereotypes to foster
understanding, trust and collaboration, while creating workplace cultures
where every generation feels valued, heard and empowered to contribute. From
attracting and retaining talent to improving communication, engagement and
team performance, this conversation examines how organisations can harness the
strengths of a multigenerational workforce to achieve greater success.

This episode will benefit leaders, managers, people and culture professionals,
and anyone interested in creating more inclusive and connected workplaces.

Key takeaways include:

• Understanding the opportunities and challenges of leading across generations
• Practical ways to strengthen communication, collaboration and team cohesion
• Strategies for building workplace cultures that engage and empower all
generations
• How diverse perspectives can drive innovation, performance and
organisational success
• Why intergenerational understanding is becoming a critical leadership
capability for the future

At Cuppa.tv, we believe meaningful conversations create
meaningful impact. Join us for an inspiring discussion on how embracing
generational diversity can help build stronger teams, better workplaces and a
more connected future.

Want to pick the brain of our speakers? Click
here.

In this thought-provoking episode of Cuppa.tv, we’re joined by Dr Paula Conroy
to explore the hidden physiological cost of leadership and why functioning is
not the same as being well.

Across workplaces everywhere, leaders are expected to sustain high performance
while navigating relentless pressure, chronic stress and poor recovery. Many
continue pushing forward because nothing has “broken”. But beneath the
surface, exhaustion, depleted energy, sleep disruption and rising health risks
are quietly impacting not only individual wellbeing, but also decision-making,
communication, culture and organisational performance.

Drawing on her unique combination of medical expertise, organisational
experience and lived experience of burnout and health crisis, Dr Paula
challenges the reactive way we think about health and leadership. Together, we
explore why leadership is not just intellectual, but deeply physiological, and
why proactive preventive health must become part of how we lead sustainably.

Want to pick the brain of Paula Conroy? Click
here